That mission, first created in
1936, has stood the test of time for the volunteers of the Old Newsies
and Goodfellows, even as the structure of the organizations changed this
year.

Now, one board of directors, called the Old
Newsies/Goodfellows of Muskegon County, oversees the effort to provide
gifts for kids in Muskegon and Oceana counties whose families may be
struggling.

But some things don’t change: Those with the Old
Newsies still do the fundraising, and you’ll see them on the streets on
Saturday, Dec. 7, for the annual hawking of the Goodfellows Extra, a
special edition of the Muskegon Chronicle.

Debbie Mogdis,
president of the organization’s board, said the street corners for
selling the special editions are carefully chosen to maximize safety.

In
these special editions, you will learn about the proud history of the
charity and some of the amounts it has raised since its inception.
You’ll see the list of dedicated volunteers who help make the holiday
brighter for so many kids. You’ll see how you can donate.

There
is also a special call for people to donate their time to the cause.
Mogdis noted it’s getting harder for some of the volunteers to meet the
physical demands of selling the special editions, so organizers want to
ensure they have a new crop of people to help with that task as well as
to carry on the mission overall.

That’s because there is
something else that hasn’t changed: The need is as strong as ever,
Mogdis said. Volunteers hope to raise $50,000 to $60,000 for more than
3,500 children.

Last year more than $40,000 was raised, helping more than 3,000 kids.

The
packing of gifts still is done by the Goodfellows, Mogdis said. Each
child typically receives a gift bag containing an individual toy, a
family game, something to keep their hands warm, socks, a reading book
and candy. The gift bags are then distributed to schools.

As you
gaze at the volunteer list in the special edition, you also will see the
year the volunteers joined the effort. What jumps out is not only the
number of people who care so deeply, but for how long they have been
doing it.

Indeed, Mogdis noted she was only the third president
of the Goodfellows – a nod to the passion of those who steer this effort
year after year.

“When you receive a card or letter from someone
who remembers getting a bag when they were young or a letter from a
grateful family, how can you not stay involved?” Mogdis said.

So
we hope when you see the volunteers on Saturday, you’ll help make a
difference for a child by donating. And if you miss the sales of the
special editions, you can still mail or drop off your donation at
Comerica Bank, 414 Center St., North Muskegon, MI 49445.

As we
know, this annual effort proves another thing that has stood the test of
time: the caring nature in this community to ensure a happy holiday for
as many children as possible.

Peg West is the editor for the Muskegon Chronicle and mlive.com/muskegon. Her email is pwest@mlive.com.